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1959 - Smokey's Divers Den is founded by William "Smokey" Roberts. "Smokey" starts producing 16mm underwater films to support his public lectures about scuba diving.
1965 - By 1965, since underwater cinematographers outside of the Cousteau circle were rare, Smokey was tapped to produce documentary footage for organizations such as National Geographic, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration and the Manned Undersea Technology program.
In the early 1970's Smokey Roberts joined with award winning film producer Gene Bergman to enter the business to business film production market. They also produced award winning documentary productions such as "Truk Lagoon", and handled clients as diverse as Dutch Wonderland, and the food giant Welch's Foods and Hollywood studio Gulf and Western. The company began to move into video production in addition to 16mm. "Bergman & Roberts Productions" opened a satellite office in Park City Mall.
1983 - Gene Bergman passed away, and Smokey begins a period of reorganization. He installed one of the first computerized graphics system in the editing suite, and began to assist in the production of the popular public service show "Susquehanna People". Our first state of the art ¾-sp A/B roll editing system was purchased.
1985 - Smokey hires Dave Albright as Director of Operations and also to provide marketing advice and expertise to clients. Dave later becomes VP of Marketing and Senior Creative Director.
1988 - Smokey hires current Senior Producer & General Manager Mark Myers to handle an overflow editing and photography work.
1993 - Smokey's expands again adding two additional full time positions. The "Video Toaster 4000" a marvel in it's time is added for 3D animation and graphics support. The first Beta-SP equipment is installed in the editing suite. A joint operating agreement is reached with Kao Infosystems for joint operation of a multi-media equipped non-linear editing system - the first in Lancaster County.
1995 - Dave Albright and Mark Myers purchase the business from Smokey Roberts, and business continues to grow. "Smokey's" returns to it's roots with a return to 16mm film for high profile jobs, including productions for the United Way.
1996 - Smokey's purchases a state of the art AVID system for higher end, on-line
editing, creating our second suite
"Edit B."
1997 - Another full time producer added. S.R. Production's AVID system is delivered, establishing "Edit 2." Extensive renovations are done to the office space to accommodate the new system. Meanwhile, a DV underwater system is added. Smokey's begins providing post production services for "Pennsylvania Outback" a national, weekly, 30 minute program airing on the Outdoor Channel and begins producing training materials for New Holland, North America - an leading producer of agricultural equipment.
1998 - Our first interactive DVD program produced for Thomson Electronics North American Tube division - the former RCA picture tube company. Print and web design services added.
1999 - 40th Anniversary celebration in cooperation with Elizabethtown College. Notable documentary producers Emory Kristoff, Nick Caloyianisis and Shark Expert Dr. Eugenie Clark participate in a film festival. Smokey's signs agreement with the "High School Sports Show" adding a second weekly 30 minute program to our client list. New Holland Construction joins Smokey's list of clients.
2000 - Smokeys purchases the Omni Music Library - one of the industry's leading sources of stock music.
2001 - Joint operating agreement with "The Qube Factory" adds more extensive print, web and graphic services.
2002 - Edit "A" is extensively remodeled and an Avid Xpress DV installed for offline use, editing lower budget projects, and DVD/Multi media authoring. Sony's top of the line DV camera - the 570 WS - is added to our stable for high quality DVCam production and 16 X 9 capabilities. We now have the ability to be digital from photography to finished product.
2004 - S.R. forms a
relationship with Emmy Award winning
Nick Caloyianis Productions.
This partnership allows us to offer an
expanding array of cinematography
products. Nick's extensive
experience with the Verricam HD Video
system is invaluable, and his
experience in documentary production
and feature film is unmatched.
Special Projects Producer Brian
Kreider hired. Brian's extensive
experience in higher end :30 spots
produced for such clients as CNN, TNT
and TBS while working in Atlanta
quickly proves to be invaluable.
2005 - After 45
years, S.R. moves to a new location,
2115 Marietta Ave in Lancaster.
Better parking, better access and more
space.
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